Mexico's First Pacific LNG Terminal Ships Inaugural Cargo

Mexico's ECA LNG terminal has shipped its first LNG cargo to Asia, marking the start of exports from the country's first Pacific Coast LNG export facility as it advances toward commercial operations.

(P&GJ) — The first LNG cargo has departed from ECA LNG Phase 1, marking the start of exports from Mexico's first Pacific Coast LNG export terminal as the facility continues commissioning ahead of commercial operations.

The cargo, shipped by TotalEnergies to Asia, was produced at the ECA LNG terminal in Baja California. TotalEnergies owns a 16.6% interest in the project alongside operator Sempra Infrastructure and has contracted to offtake 1.7 MMtpy of LNG for 20 years. During the terminal's ramp-up phase, the company will serve as the facility's sole LNG offtaker.

ECA LNG Phase 1 consists of a single-train liquefaction facility with a nameplate capacity of 3.25 MMtpy. The terminal is supplied with natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico and is strategically positioned to export LNG to Asia and other Pacific Basin markets via shorter shipping routes than U.S. Gulf Coast facilities.

TotalEnergies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanné said the first cargo marks an important milestone for the company's North American LNG portfolio.

"The start-up of ECA LNG, whose strategic location provides privileged access to Asian markets, strengthens the quality of our integrated LNG portfolio in North America," Pouyanné said.

The project is expected to reach substantial completion during the summer of 2026, with commercial operations and long-term LNG sales agreements beginning shortly afterward.

Sempra Infrastructure Chief Executive Officer Justin Bird said the first shipment establishes a new LNG supply route from North America's Pacific Coast.

"At a time of increased uncertainty in the global LNG trade, we are excited to begin shipping a new and reliable source of natural gas from North America's Pacific Coast to customers around the globe," Bird said.

ECA LNG is designed to leverage existing regasification infrastructure to reduce construction costs, while a larger second phase remains under development at the Baja California site.